Locking device for ground switch-stands.



No 765,517. PATENTED JULY 19, 1904,

H. F. SMITH.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR GROUND'SWITCH'STANDS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 13, 1904.

N MODEL. 2

m T P 7 r-r- H WW V A 4%MZM, a. (0 WW UNITED STATES Patented July 19, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR GROUND SWITCH-STANDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,517, dated July 19, 1904.

Application filed May 13, 1904. Serial No. 207,777. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD F. SMITH, of Parkton, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Locking Devices for Ground Switch- Stands, of which the following is a specifica tion.

- This invention relates to a novel combination of devices whereby the pivotal bolt of the hand-lever is automatically locked when placed in either extreme position in the switchchanging operation, as hereinafter described.

In the further description of the said invention which follows reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which Figure 1 is an exterior side view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a section of Fig. 1, taken on the dotted line X X. Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 2, taken on the dotted line Y Y.

Referring now to the drawings, the stand consists of the base-plate 1, upon which is formed as a part thereof the open-faced box 2.

3 is the pivotal bolt for the hand-operated reversing-lever 4, which passes transversely through the box 2. To effect a proper length of bearing for the pivotal bolt without giving to the box an extreme depth, the box is provided with a boss 5, through which the bolt extends, as shown in Fig. 2.

7 is the switch-rod, connected to the switchrail. (Not shown.) It is pivoted to the handlever 4 at 9 in the usual manner. (See Fig. 2.)

The box is closed by the plate 10, which at one end is hollowed outto fit against the pivotal bolt 3 and at the other provided with a projection 12, which fits into a rabbet 13 in the wall of the box 2, as shown particularly in Fig. 2, and it is held against removal by means of the nut 15 and the washer 17, which is between the nut and the face of the closed box. A pin 19, which is burred over at its which is attached to the lug 21 and the other I to the said bolt, and the act of unlocking is performed by hand through the medium of a key 30, which is inserted through a keyhole 31 in the plate 10. (See Fig. 1.) The pintle 32 for the key 30 is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The active part of the key enters a slot 33 in the sliding bolt after its passage through the keyhole 31.

In order that the hand-lever may be supported in either of its extreme positions which brings one of the recesses into the proper place for the reception of the sliding locking-bolt 23, the upper surface of the baseplate is provided with the lugs 34 and 35, which have the proper height of projection to effect that result.

The key 30 is shown as'of simple shape; but it is intended that it shouldhave some peculiar conformation to prevent the unlocking of the reversing-lever by an unauthorized person using a lock-pick or an ordinary key.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the recesses 25 and 26 for the locking-bolt 23 do not extend to the outer end of the pivotal bolt 3. By this construction a shoulder 36 is produced, which prevents the backing out of the bolt when the same is locked should the nut 15 be taken off by a person with the intent of tampering with the switch.

I claim as my invention 1. In a ground switch-stand embodying a pivotal bolt for the hand-lever, having diametrically-situated recesses therein, the said stand being provided with -a lock comprising a spring-held bolt the end of which is adapted to enter either one of the said recesses in the pivotal bolt and arranged to be operated by a key from the exterior of the box, substanprovided With a projection adapted to enter a rabbet in the Wall of the box, and the other hollowed out or curved to fit around a portion of the pivotal bolt, a nut at the end 01": the pivotal bolt Which'overlaps the grooved portion of the covering-plate whereby the same is held in place, and a key-operated mechanism confined Within the box arranged to cooperate With the recessed bolt and hold the same in two different positions, substantially as specified.

3. In combination With a ground switchstand, an open-faced box on one side of the stand,a rotary bolt extending through the box, the same having diametrically placed recesses therein, a hand-lever at one end of the said bolt and a nut at the other, a coveringplate for the box one end of which is held in place by the said nut, slotted lugs formed on the inner side of the covering-plate, a springheld bolt adapted to slide in the slot of the lugs adapted for engagement with a key Which is inserted through a keyhole in the said covering-plate, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

HOWARD F. SMITH.

Witnesses:

W. L. R. HAINES, THOMAS G. HULL. 

